Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, against the clock
The construction of the main ice hockey arena for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics faces a race against time. Uncertainty grows over the possibility that the facility will not be ready on time, raising concerns for the realization of the events. The Santagiulia arena, with a capacity of 16,000 spectators and located on the outskirts of Milan, will host the ice hockey matches. However, construction delays have forced the postponement of test events and a replanning of the schedule.The test event, crucial for evaluating the functionality of the arena, has been rescheduled for January 9th to 11th. The situation generates concern, as the preparation of a facility of this magnitude requires exhaustive testing. The first Olympic match in the arena is scheduled for February 5th, in the women’s preliminary round, one day before the opening ceremony. The men’s tournament will take place from February 11th to 22nd, while the women’s will extend until February 19th. Despite the challenges, the organizers maintain cautious optimism. Andrea Francisi assures that they are working hard and that there is close collaboration with the construction companies. Although there is no precise date for the delivery of the sand, Francisi is confident that it will be ready for the Games. The situation is monitored daily and the work has been accelerated. The organizers are coordinating a plan to ensure that everything is ready.There is no Plan B. We necessarily have to be able to organize the competition impeccably in Santagiulia.
Andrea Francisi, head of operations for the Milan-Cortina Games
